Can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) when used with other antidiabetic medicines, alcohol or if you delay or miss a meal.

You should continue to exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and take your other diabetes medicines along with Dapagliflozin.

Frequently asked questions for Dapagliflozin

Dapagliflozin

Q. Can I stop taking Dapagliflozin at once?

Do not stop taking Dapagliflozin at once. This can lead to a sudden increase in your blood glucose levels. Always follow the advice of your doctor for the dose and duration of your treatment. Never stop taking any medicine without consulting your doctor.

Q. Can Dapagliflozin help in the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus?

Dapagliflozin is not indicated for use in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. This medicine works by removing glucose through the urine and also increases the urine frequency which can worsen dehydration in these patients. There have been reports of diabetic ketoacidosis with Dapagliflozin, a complication seen in type 1 diabetic patients which may also get worsened in these patients.

Q. How is Dapagliflozin different from sitagliptin?

Both Dapagliflozin and sitagliptin are anti-diabetic drugs, but they work in different ways. Dapagliflozin is reported to be more effective in controlling blood sugar levels and also help in weight loss while sitagliptin is weight neutral. They also differ in their side effect profile as the use of sitagliptin is associated with nausea, nasopharyngitis, and pancreatitis while Dapagliflozin commonly causes urinary and genital tract infections.

Yes, Dapagliflozin can be taken with metformin. A combined use of the two medicines can significantly improve blood glucose levels and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and help in weight loss as compared to when either of the medicine is taken alone. No change in side effect profile has been reported compared to when they are used alone.

Q. Can I take Dapagliflozin with sulfonylureas like glimepiride?

Dapagliflozin and sulfonylureas like glimepiride, gliclazide, glyburide or glibenclamide can be taken together as it can help in better control of blood sugar levels. Use of Dapagliflozin can also help in lowering the risk of weight gain caused by sulfonylureas. However, the risk of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) can increase. Consult your doctor as dose adjustment may be needed.

Q. Can the use of Dapagliflozin help in decreasing weight?

Yes, Dapagliflozin can help in lowering weight. Dapagliflozin works by removing glucose through urine, so, calories are lost resulting in weight loss according to some clinical studies. When used along with a balanced diet and exercise, it effectively lowers blood glucose levels and help in weight loss in type 2 diabetes patients.

Q. Can the use of Dapagliflozin lead to vaginal thrush (a fungal infection of the vagina)?

Yes, Dapagliflozin can lead to vaginal thrush (fungal infection of the vagina). So, it should be used with caution in patients with a history of frequent genital infections. Cleanliness of the vagina and external genitals will lower the risk of infections. Inform your doctor if you have painful urination, redness, itching or swelling of your genitals while taking this medicine.

Q. How is Dapagliflozin different from liraglutide?

Both are anti-diabetic medicines and lower blood glucose levels effectively and also help to lower weight. However, they differ in many ways. Dapagliflozin is to be taken by mouth and it lowers blood glucose levels by removing glucose from the body through urine and can cause urinary and genital tract infection. While liraglutide is an injectable which lowers blood glucose levels by the release of insulin and its use is commonly associated with nausea and there have been rare reports of pancreatitis in patients using this medicine.

Q. How long can Dapagliflozin take to show improvement of my conditions?

Dapagliflozin starts to show its effect from the first dose itself, however, it shows its maximum effect after 1 week of starting the medicine.

Q. Is Dapagliflozin better than canagliflozin?

Both Dapagliflozin and canagliflozin belong to the same class of drugs and work by removing glucose from urine. However, some clinical studies reported that canagliflozin is more effective in removing a higher amount of glucose through urine in 24 hours than Dapagliflozin. Also, the use of Dapagliflozin is advised to be avoided in patients with bladder cancer.

Q. Is Dapagliflozin better than gliclazide?

Both Dapagliflozin and gliclazide are anti-diabetic drugs however, they work in different ways and have different side effect profile. Gliclazide commonly causes low blood sugar levels while the use of Dapagliflozin is associated with urinary tract and genital infections. Dapagliflozin causes low blood sugar levels mostly when taken with insulins or sulfonylureas and it helps in weight loss compared to gliclazide which causes weight gain.

Q. Is Dapagliflozin better than metformin?

Both Dapagliflozin and metformin are effective in lowering blood glucose levels, however, they work in different ways and have different side effect profile. Metformin restores the body's ability to use insulin, lowering the blood sugar levels whereas Dapagliflozin works by increasing the amount of glucose that gets passed out in the urine. Metformin commonly causes nausea, vomiting, altered taste, abdominal pain, loss of appetite while Dapagliflozin is associated with nausea, increased thirst, urinary and genital tract infections.

Q. Is Dapagliflozin effective?

Yes, Dapagliflozin is effective if used for the right indication in the dose and for the duration as advised by the doctor. In case you do not find any change in your disease condition while taking this medicine, please talk to your doctor. Do not change the dose or stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor.

Q. Can Dapagliflozin be taken along with canagliflozin?

No, it is not advisable to take Dapagliflozin with canagliflozin. Both belong to the same class of anti-diabetic drugs and work in the same way. Together they may be more efficacious but there could also be an increased risk of side effects caused by them.

Q. Can the use of Dapagliflozin cause urinary tract infections?

Yes, urinary tract infections is a reported side effect of Dapagliflozin. So if you observe pain or burning sensation while urinating consult your doctor. Drinking plenty of fluids as this may reduce burning sensation.

Q. What effect does Dapagliflozin have on renal impairment?

Dapagliflozin is not recommended for use in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment with eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) less than 60 mL/min/1.73m2. It may cause an increase in creatinine, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and can cause fall in blood pressure hypotension. So inform your doctor if you have an underlying kidney disease before taking this medicine.

Q. What is the effect of the Dapagliflozin on cancer?

There is no such effect reported on cancer but some studies have shown an increased risk of bladder cancer with Dapagliflozin so use is avoided in patients with a history of bladder cancer and along with drugs like pioglitazone.

Q. What are the contraindications to use of Dapagliflozin?

Use of Dapagliflozin is not recommended in patients with a history of serious hypersensitivity reaction to Dapagliflozin, severe kidney disease, end-stage kidney disease, or dialysis.

Q. Does Dapagliflozin worsen euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis?

Dapagliflozin may worsen diabetic ketoacidosis (increased total body ketone concentration, metabolic acidosis, and very high blood sugar levels). Dapagliflozin is not advised to be taken in this condition. The patient may experience nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, excessive thirst, difficulty breathing, confusion, unusual fatigue or sleepiness. Inform your doctor if you have these signs-symptoms while taking this medicine.

Content on this page was last updated on 07 December, 2017, by Dr. Varun Gupta (MD Pharmacology)